Tepezza Lawsuit Lawyers
Litigation is currently underway against the manufacturer of Tepezza (teprotumumab). This multidistrict litigation (MDL) focuses on plaintiffs who experienced hearing loss and deafness after receiving the medication. Tepezza is an approved treatment for thyroid eye disease (TED), also called Grave’s eye disease or Graves’ ophthalmopathy.
If you took these injections and suffered adverse effects, you may feel as though you don’t have options. But you do––and Whitley Law Firm is here to help you explore them. We are here to offer what you need most: help, compassion, and understanding.
The dangerous drug lawyers from Whitley Law Firm are currently reviewing these cases for people who had or have hearing concerns after being prescribed Tepezza. Call (919) 785-5000 today for your free case evaluation with our team. We’re ready to listen when you’re ready to share.
More and More People Are Filing Tepezza Lawsuits
Our Tepezza lawsuit lawyers are evaluating cases for inclusion in MDL-3079 IN RE: Tepezza Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation. This mass tort seeks compensation and accountability from the manufacturer, Horizon Therapeutics DAC (Dublin, Ireland), and distributor, Horizon Therapeutics USA, Inc., a USA Illinois corporation.
The latest news in this case includes:
July 24, 2023
Ophthalmology Times reports that the U.S. government has added an additional warning to this product in the wake of numerous reports of problems. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) updated the Tepezza prescribing information to include a strong warning about severe and permanent auditory damage.
July 17, 2023
There are currently 42 Tepezza cases pending in the MDL, according to the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
June 2023
After hearing from both sides, the MDL Panel opted to consolidate the Tepezza lawsuits from courts nationwide. They assigned the new MDL (MDL-3079) under Judge Thomas M. Durkin of Chicago. A number of the cases were already pending in Illinois, since this is where the U.S. branch of Horizon Therapeutics is headquartered.
March 2023
Hoping to proceed with their case as a mass tort, the plaintiffs filed a motion to transfer and consolidate the cases into an MDL. They asked officials to consolidate their cases into a mass tort in California.
August 2022
The first Tepezza lawsuit was filed. Others followed. One of the earliest lawsuits filed, if not the first, was Daniel Weibel’s litigation claiming the drug caused his permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.
What Injuries Are Claimants Accusing Tepezza of Causing?
When the FDA approved Tepezza in January 2020, there were some minor concerns about side effects related to hearing loss. Clinical studies showed a small number of patients might experience fairly benign issues, from headaches to muscle spasms.
However, ongoing hearing loss and deafness appear to be much more prevalent than explained in the pre-approval studies. Patients are reporting temporary or permanent symptoms that include:
- Ongoing hearing loss and deafness
- Ongoing ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Autophony (loud hearing of a person’s own voice)
- Muffled hearing
- Plugged-ear sensation
- Eustachian tube dysfunction
Significant, permanent hearing loss can be a catastrophic injury. It can create a new disability that prevents people from working, enjoying their regular activities, actively participating socially, and more. It could jeopardize independence for some.
If you experienced any of these hardships, know that you have a friend and ally in Whitley Law Firm. We’re here to help uphold your legal rights. You’re not in this situation alone; even if your case seems hopeless, you have options.
Studies Show a Significant Risk of Hearing Loss With Tepezza
While the manufacturer claims only a small risk of temporary hearing loss was noted during pre-approval clinical testing, more recent research shows a different trend.
One hospital tracked patients who received Tepezza, and the resulting statistics were published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. This study showed:
- As many as 85 percent of patients experienced side effects during their first four infusions of Tepezza
- 46 percent reported hearing-related symptoms, 10 percent reported hearing loss
- Of the patients with hearing loss, 23 percent of those affected experienced little or no improvement in their symptoms after stopping the drug
A University of California-San Diego publication about this study documented the percentages of each symptom among these study participants. Each patient received one infusion every three weeks for a total dose of eight infusions. During this time, the side effects among those with hearing-related symptoms included:
- 29 percent reported autophony
- 27 percent reported tinnitus
- 23 percent reported hearing loss
- 12 percent reported a plugged-ear sensation
According to Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, Tepezza’s clinical trials showed links to hearing loss and other related symptoms. However, its report states that the risk remains unclear because there is no way to know the “frequency, magnitude, reversibility, and mechanism” of the hearing impairment at this time.
Tepezza’s Adverse Effects Were Reported to the FDA
From its approval in January 2020 through March 31, 2023, the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) noted reports of the following hearing-related adverse effects:
- 144 cases of hearing loss (hypoacusis)
- 109 cases of tinnitus
- 82 cases of deafness
- 14 cases of permanent deafness
If you suffered hearing impairment from taking Tepezza, your lawyer can hold the manufacturer accountable for medical bills, lost wages, and other treatment-related costs. Through litigation, you can pursue financial recovery that reflects your symptoms and situation.
Understanding the Tepezza Lawsuits and MDL-3079
Horizon Therapeutics faces dozens of lawsuits because of the possible side effects of Tepezza. These lawsuits, consolidated into MDL-3079, allege that the company was aware of the effects the drug could have on the auditory system, including lasting hearing loss and deafness.
The claimants are seeking compensation for their assessment, treatment, care, loss of income and reduced ability to earn, and intangible losses. They want to hold the drug’s manufacturer accountable for their injuries and how the medication continues to adversely affect their life in many circumstances.
In June 2023, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated 41 cases into MDL-3079. This case is currently underway in the Northern District of Illinois. Additional Tepezza lawsuits filed over the coming months could join this mass tort already in progress.
It is important to note: you don’t have to live in Illinois to join the evolving mass tort. Whether you’re in state or somewhere else across the nation, you could benefit from consulting with our Tepezza lawsuit lawyers.
How Do MDLs Work?
Consolidating cases into an MDL benefits plaintiffs—those who suffered hearing loss or other related symptoms or their families—in several ways. The purpose of an MDL is to help these cases with many potential plaintiffs move through the courts better. Lower courts could be clogged with thousands of similar cases for years if there is no better way to navigate the process.
In multidistrict litigation, the MDL Panel consolidates many similar cases for pre-trial actions, discovery, and bellwether trials. This allows the claimants to move forward with the case—and manage case expenses—as one.
MDL-3079 Is Underway
As of August 1, 2023, the Tepezza MDL is still in the initial stages. Pre-trial motions and the discovery process, where each side gathers evidence and builds its case, could take a year or more. As this process concludes, the parties will select several cases to serve as bellwether trials. These trials serve several purposes:
- Both sides get to see the strength of their case.
- They get to see how a jury reacts to their evidence.
- It indicates how these cases might unfold in court.
A bellwether trial outcome does not apply to the rest of the cases in the MDL. However, it often triggers settlement offers, plaintiffs dropping their cases (if there is an overwhelming win for the defendant), and other actions. Many MDLs end with global or tiered settlements.
For those plaintiffs who choose not to participate in a settlement, or if there is not one, the case could return to its initial jurisdiction following the close of the MDL.
What Should I Do If I Took Tepezza and Suffered Hearing Loss?
If you received Tepezza infusions and have hearing loss, tinnitus, or other potential serious side effects, you could qualify to join the other Tepezza lawsuits in the MDL. These plaintiffs are seeking compensation and accountability from Horizon Therapeutics, the drug’s manufacturer. As of August 2023, it is too early to tell how much a Tepezza settlement stemming from MDL-3079 might be worth or if claimants will receive an offer.
What we do know about these cases thus far is that the plaintiffs have serious, evidence-backed allegations against Horizon Therapeutics. Similar lawsuits alleging harm from dangerous drugs have paid significant payouts for victims with lasting injuries.
Who Qualifies to Join MDL-3079?
You could qualify to sue the drug manufacturer and join MDL-3079 if you received Tepezza and later received a diagnosis related to hearing loss or other hearing-related concerns.
Doctors generally administer Tepezza to patients once every three weeks for a full course of eight infusions over 24 weeks. It is an intravenous medication given at a medical facility.
Your doctor likely prescribed Tepezza to address thyroid eye disease symptoms, including abnormal protrusion of the eyes (proptosis) and double vision.
What Should I Do to Join MDL-3079?
If you believe you qualify to join other victims in suing Horizon Therapeutics and holding the company accountable for your hearing loss or other auditory symptoms, contact Whitley Law Firm.
We will assess your case and explain your options for free. We provide no-obligation, free case consultations for those who underwent treatment with Tepezza. Here, our team can review the details of your case and outline how it may play out.
It may be possible to sue the drug’s manufacturer and hold them accountable for your auditory concerns. Compensation could be available for your life-altering injury.
When Should I Consider Legal Help?
We recommend calling our attorneys at Whitley Law Firm about your Tepezza lawsuit as soon as you learn about the case. If you believe you may qualify to join or have questions about your options, we want to hear from you.
While the Tepezza MDL is in the early stages as of August 2023, there is a limited time to join. You can still file a lawsuit and join others in the mass tort. However, you do not want time to run out. We encourage you to contact our team today to get started. There are no upfront costs for filing suit and joining the MDL.
Should I Stop Taking Tepezza?
After learning about Tepezza’s potential to cause long-term auditory problems, you may wonder whether it’s in your best interest to continue taking this drug. Even if you’ve started to experience adverse side effects, you should never stop taking a drug without consulting your doctor first.
During your discussion, you can share the effects of the drug with your healthcare team, and they can decide your next steps. They can also furnish evidence that could bolster your claim later, such as your medical records, the details of your treatment plan, and the effects of Tepezza on your life. This could help your lawyer advance your case and hold the manufacturer liable for your losses.
Contact Our Tepezza Lawsuit Lawyers to Explore Your Options
Whitley Law Firm is reviewing dangerous drug cases. If you believe you may qualify to join the Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit or have other questions about these cases, our team will answer them during a free, no-obligation case review. During our conversation, we will assess your rights, listen to your story, and offer a shoulder to lean on.
Call (919) 785-5000 to get started.
